Location Description:

Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria, the smaller, cheaper spin-off of Il Buco, is about as good a rendezvous spot as you can get. This Noho Italian eatery doesn't give you anything you can't find elsewhere in the city, but even if your date's a dud, you'll still be charmed by the rustic-chic atmosphere. Your ideal meal: acorn squash salad and ricotta bruschetta with grapes to start, bucatini cacio e pepe as the pasta course, and spit-roasted short ribs for a main. The front half of the restaurant also functions as a café, sandwich shop, and gourmet grocery during the day.